Memorializing Ben Levy, whose widow was generous to Mishkon (Condition Report)

A LACONIC PLAQUE on the north wall of our bimah states that our congregation will say Kaddish eternally for Ben Levy on his yohrtsayt, the 16th of Tevet. Indeed, we did so on the Shabbat immediately preceding the 100th anniversary of his death, just a few weeks ago.

Over the years, the synagogue has gone to some lengths to keep Mr. Levy’s name alive—apparently to accord with promises that were made to his widow.

Below the jump, this post documents five signs about Ben Levy that have been posted at Mishkon through the years. In addition, his impressive and informative tombstone is discussed.…

Acquisition of photo of façade on 1948 Dedication Day (Announcement)

THE ONLY IMAGE that we have of our historic sanctuary’s façade as it looked on Day 1 was acquired just this past week, on 12/20/2024. (The 2003 Historic Structure Report was not aware of any photos like this one!)

Among the details that are visible, it shows a portable sign leaning against our building, which announces the dedication ceremony on 9/26/1948:

The cost of procuring a license for this image from the Santa Monica History Museum was donated by a generous Mishkon member. 

Below the jump, this post provides the full photo, plus a few words about it.…

Revealing “new” photos from the 1948 sanctuary dedication

UNTIL TODAY, I had never known what the façade of Mishkon’s sanctuary looked like when the building was dedicated on 9/26/1948. But now I have come across the thumbnail images of two photographic negatives in the online archive of the Santa Monica History Museum. They held several surprises!

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it—
although in this case it’s a low-resolution image.)

This archive actually holds 15 film negatives of that auspicious day at Mishkon some 75 years ago — including of the Torah procession and the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Given their glorious detail, they seem to have been made with a large-format camera. All of the images appear to differ from what is now in the possession of our synagogue.

Below the jump, I will focus on the building-related facts that I gleaned from examining the online thumbnail images.…

Tidbits about the Sanctuary, for its 75th Anniversary

OUR HISTORIC SANCTUARY building was dedicated on Sept. 26, 1948, which that year corresponded with the 22nd of Elul. (This year, the 22nd of Elul falls on Sept. 7–8.) In honor of the occasion, some of us have been delving into its history and features.

(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, you will find a list of interesting facts about the building.…

Showing our true colors: Painting choices

WE ARE GETTING CLOSE to applying new surface finishes to our sanctuary’s outer south wall, and to our main sanctuary hall. Which leads to a question: What should their surface colors be?

Below the jump, this post discusses both surfaces—exterior and interior.

HVAC (Mechanical heating/cooling system) in the sanctuary (Background Report)

WHAT’S THE CONFIGURATION of the heating/cooling system in our sanctuary?

This post gives you a basic picture, through verbal description and photos.…

What Do We Stand For? Preserving Local Aspirations and Traditions (5783 Galim article)

CLARIFYING WHAT WE PERSONALLY STAND FOR is a vital part of the High Holy Day season. Part of our answering that call can come from being a member of Mishkon. And part of what membership means is that together we wear the mantle of our local predecessors. 

Ocean Front Walk, 1927
(courtesy of westland.net/venicehistory)

Temple Mishkon Tephilo is both a product and a symbol of the longstanding Jewish presence in Venice and Ocean Park. So it seems timely for me to briefly recap some highlights of that local history.